Who'll Bring Me Flowers The Celia Bryce Band

Submitted by: Celia B.

The borderlands of Northumberland have brought forth fighting men for millenia – from those set against the Romans, through the Border Reivers and more recently famous regiments in the British Army such as the Northumbrian Fusiliers or the Coldstream Guards. This song, which started as an instrumental march in 4/4, morphed into a ballad in waltz-time about the regrets of the women who were left behind as the men marched off to war.

The words are particularly poignant. The flowers provide a thematic link between lovers and graveyards as explored in “Where have all the flowers gone”. The instrumental theme also sets the song geographically as the main tune is played by Northumbrian Pipes with penny whistle and accordion providing the harmony.